What you get

Work and Income can advance up to 6 weeks’ benefit or pension to help pay for essential costs that crop up. Anyone on a low income, who gets a benefit or pension from Work and Income, can apply. It’s repaid in instalments.

An Advance payment of your benefit or pension is an extra one-off payment to help cover essential expenses. The money is usually paid directly to the business.

What an Advance payment of benefit can help with

These are things you may be able to cover with an advance payment:

paying bonds and rent

dentures, glasses and hearing aids

school-related costs for a child

buying a fridge, freezer or washing machine

car repairs

paying for electricity, gas or water

clothing

buying beds, or tables and chairs.

Who can get it

You can apply for an Advance payment of benefit if you:

urgently have to pay for something that is essential

have no other way to pay for it

are getting a benefit or pension

are a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, and

normally live in New Zealand.

Work and Income will take into account:

your ability to pay back the money

how much you and your partner earn

any money or assets you and your partner have.

Before you apply

Before applying for an Advance Payment of Benefit, you need to have a quote from a business for the goods or services you need.

If you have a partner, provide income and asset information for them.

How you apply

To apply, call Work and Income and say ‘advance payment of benefit’ at the voice prompt.

If you're 65 or older, phone 0800 552 002.

If you're under 65, phone 0800 559 009.

When you call, Work and Income tells you if you need to apply in person or if you can arrange an advance over the phone

How long it takes

If you provide all the information they need, Work and Income usually let you know within 5 working days if you can get an advance.

Once you have the advance

Advance payment of benefits have to be repaid to Work and Income.

Regular amounts will be taken out of your benefit or pension payments to repay the advance.

If you regularly need to apply for help, you may need to show what you have done to manage your budget yourself.

Other help you can get

In some situations, you can get extra help. Talk to Work and Income. They’ll look at your individual circumstances and work out how they can help. Make sure you talk to them before you pay for anything.